Die tientalle inskrywings vir vanjaar se Towerwoorde/Word Wizard-poësiekompetisie het lig gewerp op die leefwêreld van ons skoolkinders vandag.
Die kompetisie, aangebied deur Bloemfontein Courant ter viering van Wêreldmoedertaaldag op 21 Februarie, het gewys hoeveel waardering en liefde die jeug vir hul moedertaal koester. Twee van die wenners se gedigte is dan ook huldeblyke aan die skrywers se huistaal.
It was striking how many of the poems dealt with the pain children struggle with, and the anxiety that many live with every day.
What was also notable to the judges is that artificial intelligence had slipped in here too. Some of the poems were simply too perfect to have been written by, for example, an 11‑year‑old or even a 14-year-old.
Die wenners vir die hoërskool-afdeling is Mia Jacobs, gr. 8-leerling aan die Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, en van die laerskoolafdeling Ntsoaki Matekane, gr. 7-leerling aan Curro, Bloemfontein.
In second place were, respectively, Tatum Lawrence, a Grade 11 learner at St Michael’s School for Girls, and Liewan Claassens (11) of Grey College Primary.
Primary School winner:
Sesotho: the language of my heart
Sesotho is more than I say,
It is my home in every way.
It lives in stories, songs and prayer,
A voice of love that fills the air.
It speaks through mountains, strong and wide.
Where Basothos stand with truth and pride.
In every greeting, warm and true,
It carries culture through and through.
Sesotho dances when we sing,
Like summer rain in early spring.
It shines in class, it shines in play,
A shining light to guide my way.
In Sesotho, we say khotso, pula, nola
In English, we say peace, rain, and prosperity. – Ntsoaki Matekane
Read page 5 to see the other poems https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/epapers/bloemfontein-courant-19-february-2026/
